Writing an Interview Request Letter

When a person is looking for a different job or just entering the job market, it's a good idea to send an interview request letter to several employers. This type of letter will indicate to the employer that the candidate is serious about the job, and it could increase his or her chance of getting it. The letter can state why the candidate should be granted an interview and briefly tell what they have to offer the company.

An interview request letter may also be sent to a publicist or public relations professional to arrange a time and place to interview a celebrity, author, sports person or other. This letter should be sent to the press contact for the celebrity. The name can be found on their website and should be the person to whom the letter is addressed.

​The letter should state clearly that the sender is requesting an interview with Name of Celebrity. The sender should then state their name and the name of their publication and mention what type of article they plan to write about the celebrity

They should then give options for the type of interview such as over the phone, in person or online and request a time and date. The letter can be closed with a request that the publicist contact the sender to make arrangements.

Requesting an Interview for a Job

Employers receive hundreds of interview requests, so if the letter doesn’t grab their attention, it may be filed in the trash. The letter should open with an introduction of the applicant, the position he or she is applying for, and the place where they learned about the position. They can highlight a few of their accomplishments that show how they feel they are right for the job. However, since the resume will be enclosed, there shouldn’t be too much detail about the qualifications.

At this point, the applicant can mention some interesting point that will make their request stand out. For example, they can say that they have spent every summer vacation since they were able to walk in one state park or another and believe their knowledge and first-hand experience makes them especially qualified for the job of park ranger.

Another example that will help the applicant stand out in the mind of the employer is that they have volunteered for the past five years in several recycling plants in the state and have the experience and knowledge it takes to run a recycling program for a corporation.

Request for Action

It is important to make a request for action from the employer. This means to formally request an interview. If the interview is for information and not for a job, they can request a specific time such as a 30 minute interview.

​Otherwise, the timing of an interview for a job will depend on the employer, not the applicant. However, the applicant can mention that they would like to receive a reply, and if they don’t receive on within a stipulated time, they will call. This means that the applicant will most likely get an interview or at least a rejection reply, which is better than hearing nothing.

Here are sample interview request letters. It should be sent by certified mail, so the sender has proof of the time and date the letter was sent and received. The letter should be sent to a specific person either in the human resources department or the owner of a company. The applicant should enclose a copy of their resume. ​​

The librarian in your school, NAME, informed me that there is an opening for an art teacher in your institution. She suggested that I apply because she knows I have a love of both fine arts and teaching.

I am a qualified art teacher in STATE, and have taught for 10 years in NAME of SCHOOL. I took one year off to spend in Paris furthering my own craft and studying art history in other cities in Europe. Since my return, I plan to relocate to this city and would like a job in your school.

I believe my knowledge and expertise qualify me for the job, and I look forward to educating children in the practice and history of fine art. My enclosed resume will provide more details about my qualifications.

If you have any questions, I can be reached at 555-123-4567 or at [email protected] If I don’t hear from you by the first of MONTH, I will call your office. I am confident that I would be an asset to your school and look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,​Applicant’s SignatureApplicant’s Name PrintedList of Enclosure

Name of Hiring Manager or EmployerName of MuseumAddress of MuseumCity, State, Zip Code

RE: Requesting a job interview for the position of Curator

Dear Name of Employer,

This letter is to request an interview for the position of curator of the Museum of Modern Art in City. I came to know that the position was open from your advertisement on the Museum’s website. I believe that my education and experience in the field of fine arts makes me suitable to become part of your esteemed staff at the museum.

I graduated with honors from Name of University in DATE and received my Ph.D. in Art History from the same university on DATE. I spent the next two years studying modern and classical art in several top museums in Europe including the Prado in Spain, the Louvre in Paris and the Tate Gallery in the UK. The last six months of my time in England, I was the curator of a small modern art gallery, Name of Gallery, in London.

I have learned the responsibilities of the curator of a modern art collection, including delivering a coherent, financially viable and sustainable program for the museum, and I have directed three assistant curators. I have conducted curatorial research and implemented several different exhibitions as well as contributing articles to the scholarly publication, Name of Publication.

I admire the strong support given to the Name of Museum by the local government and citizens, and would like to be a part of your forward-looking team. During my vacations while an undergraduate, I supported this city’s public art program and helped recruited sculptures from internationally known artists throughout the world.

I would like to request an interview for the position of Curator at a time that is convenient for you. I can be reached at Phone Number or at Email Address, and will call you in 10 days to arrange an appointment.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.

Sincerely,

Signature of ApplicantPrinted Name of ApplicantList of Enclosures: resume